When Kentucky schools shut down due to coronavirus in the spring of 2020, we pivoted our school-level school climate work to design a relevant state-wide research study. The goal was to gauge the impact of the crisis on students learning from home. We wanted to ensure education leaders navigating through the pandemic would better understand what Kentucky students were experiencing to inform their decision-making.
We enlisted adult research partners from the University of Kentucky and McRel International to conceive the Coping with COVID Student-to-Student Survey. After receiving nearly 13,000 student responses from all 120 of Kentucky’s counties, our team created an executive summary and regional reports for Kentucky’s nine educational co-ops and began amplifying and elevating the student voice we collected. We shared the research findings with a range of local and national education audiences from the Kentucky Board of Education and the Interim Joint Education Committee to the Policy Innovators in Education Network and the Aspen Institute.
As our team launches the second phase of our study involving 50 peer-to-peer qualitative interviews, we aim to ensure Kentucky students’ lived experiences drive decisions about our education. Our project shows what is possible when young people are enlisted as solutions-oriented education research partners.
This project is strengthened by funding support from Project AWARE, Teach for America, National Geographic, The Woodrow Wilson Institute, and Pathway 2 Tomorrow.
Read the News Coverage
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Kentucky students create survey investigating how peers are coping with COVID-19
Lexington Herald-Leader
Depressed, dissatisfied by virtual learning. Survey shows KY students troubled by COVID-19.
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COVID-19 on education: Survey asks students across Kentucky to share experiences
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Kentucky student team surveying how COVID-19 has affected their peers
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How Kentucky Teens are Handling COVID-19
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Frankfort High students appointed to positions with state student council association
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Parents, teachers have been vocal about school reopenings. What do Kentucky students want?
The Reinvention Lab
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New youth projects across United States focus on civic education
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Study shows Ky. students more anxious, depressed & less motivated after initial wave of COVID
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Survey: students' mental health majorly impacted by COVID-19
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Some Ky. public, private schools defy governor on reopening. Could state take more action?
ABC 36
Survey: Students report big mental health impact from disruption
Northern Kentucky Tribune
Statewide survey shows Kentucky students report strong mental health impact of pandemic disruption
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What Student Activists Want Teachers To Know About Virtual Learning and Reopening Schools
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Kentucky lawmakers hear testimony on reopening school
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Students have their own demands for school reopening
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As School Year Begins, Students Raise Their Voices
University of Kentucky
UK Faculty Support Statewide Research Study on Pandemic Disruption
Forbes
Young People Are Powerful Forces For Meaningful Change. We Should Listen To Them.
Richmond Register
As pandemic continues, students' mental health may suffer
The Reinvention Lab
Learning Horizons: What equity-centered, radical learning innovators are showing us about where learning is headed
